Judge Refuses to Delay New Orleans Vote

AP ^ | 3/27/6 | CAIN BURDEAU

[SmithL]

New Orleans -- A federal judge Monday refused to delay New Orleans' April 22 mayoral election, but told lawyers on both sides of the case to identify any problems that might hinder displaced residents' ability to vote and then solve them.

[Tzimisce]

...I guess the city isn't rechocolated enough yet eh?

[Petronski]

[D-Chivas]

It's going to be fun to see 250% more people voting in the upcoming election than currently live in NOLA.

[agere_contra]

Would being permanently resident in another state hinder a "displaced residents" ability to vote?

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

A federal judge Monday refused to delay New Orleans' April 22 mayoral election

[mosquitobite]

[Republican Red]

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle - a Clinton apointed judge.

hmmmmmmmm

Mitch Landrieu, a bit vanilla but old school democrat, thanks you.

[joe fonebone]

SOLVE THEM????? You mean, make the local politicans do their jobs???? Impossible!!!!!!!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I enjoy seeing common sense rulings...especially because they're so infrequent.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Hoorah for the Judge (we can say that so seldom these days!). IMHO, it is completely unfair to subject the current residents of New Orleans to a continued Nagin administration unless, of course, that is what they desire. Let them vote! If you can organize and hold Mardi Gras -- you can have an election.

Many articles have been printed about former residents of New Orleans that have absolutely no intention of returning. Additionally, Louisiana has gone to extraordinary lengths to provide satellite voting sites and encourage absentee voting.

This just isn't rocket science. If you care enough about New Orleans and have intents on returning, you can make the effort to cast your vote. Quit whining and get on with your life. Current residents (I don't care where they came from) have a right to direct the future of their city by having an election.

[joebuck]

Bye Bye Ray - Don't let the bus door hit you in the butt on your way out of town.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

If you can organize and hold Mardi Gras -- you can have an election.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. :)

[sandbar]

If it were up to Nagin, his power would continue until every resident was back living in NO (which will probably be never). In other words, he would be mayor for life. Works for him.

[Shimmer128]

That's what i was thinking. If they live elsewhere, they are not resident voters.
hellOOOO

[EQAndyBuzz]

Anyone see the folly in setting up polling places in Chicago for displaced NOLA voters?

[JustaDumbBlonde]

This past Wednesday night I was watching an open microphone time with NOLA council members who were on a committee to rebuild the city. Nagin was present. Residents were irate at how recovery was proceeding (or not proceeding in some cases). These residents were of every age and color. One lady urged her fellow citizens to vote with their conscience and not because of skin color (she happened to be black). Nagin was taking a pounding and, if those 90 minutes were any indication, his re-election is not a given -- even amongst his (hopefully former) base.

[adorno]

Would being permanently resident in another state hinder a "displaced residents" ability to vote?

Absentee voting in an election should come with a guarantee:

If a voter for a candidate has not returned to that city or county one year after the election, the candidate who received that vote from the absentee "resident", will have that vote subtracted from the original vote count.

After one year and all the votes have been recounted, if a candidate ends up losing the original election, then that candidate must relinquish the position that was gained in the 'fraudulent' election.

[Tulane]

Don't count out Mitch Landrieu...his family knows how to get dead people to the ballots as well as Nagin's...this election is going to be so dirty, so fun to watch...the democrats will be eating each other...

[American Quilter]

...this election is going to be so dirty, so fun to watch...

I hope the conservative media are there in force, documenting every irregularity for our entertainment.